Eckes v. Keith

We granted defendant’s petition for leave to appeal the trial court’s order denying his motion for summary judgment. Plaintiff was injured on November 30, 1982 when she fell off a bar stool while attempting to start a fight. She sued the bartender, alleging he was negligent because he served her alcoholic beverages knowing that she was intoxicated. The issue is whether we should change the long-standing rule that alcohol vendors are not liable for injuries caused by intoxicated persons to whom they serve alcohol. We conclude we should not, and therefore reverse.

Trial and appellate courts are…